Study: Healthy Kids Programs Improve Children's Dental CareSeptember 11, 2008 |
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 Dental problems are the number one reason why children miss school. New research suggests that First 5 LA is helping to change that trend. First 5 LA's Healthy Kids program, a health insurance program that provides access to low- or no-cost health insurance for children ages 0-5, was recently evaluated along with similar programs in San Mateo and Santa Clara counties. The study focused specifically on outcomes related to children's dental care. The survey of 1,087 Los Angeles families, conducted between April and December 2005, showed that Healthy Kids is bringing substantial gains in children's dental health access and utilization. In fact, the evaluations in three counties found overwhelming evidence that the programs have improved both access to, and use of dental care services among children who participated. As part of the Healthy Kids initiative, First 5 LA helps to also fund a network of community-based organizations that locate and assist eligible families in applying for other health related programs. "Given that dental disease is the most common chronic childhood disease, the provision of dental coverage is a powerful tool for relieving immediate suffering and improving children's health and well-being," concludes the study. Evaluations for the three counties were conducted by the Urban Institute, Mathematica Policy Research, the University of California at San Francisco and their partners. Click here to access the report "Three Independent Evaluations of Healthy Kids Programs Find Substantial Gains in Children's Dental Health Care." This study was funded by the David and Lucile Packard Foundation. |
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